ERALD

THE TIME has finally come. The most awaited showdown between the formerly renowned QED Club and the rogue, good-for-nothing K-OS Club.

Hindi ko in-expect na sa kabila ng bantang panggugulo ng mga walang magawa sa buhay, marami-rami pa rin ang nag-attend sa acquaintance party. Everyone was wearing their best semi-formal attire. May ilan pa ngang nagpapakabugan sa kanilang outfit.

Me? I have no interest in fashion. Hindi rin naman ako nakikipag-compete para ma-award-an bilang "face of the night." Instead of wearing a coat and tie or a vest, I chose to don our school uniform. Yes, the blue blazer over my white longsleeved shirt, paired with red necktie. Pagpasok ko pa lang sa gymnasium, pinagtitinginan na ako ng mga attendee. Para akong artista na tinutukan ng spotlight.

The security was unusually strict. Pinapadaan ang lahat sa metal detector at kinakapkapan ang katawan. I doubt that the chaos bringer would hide a gun or a knife in his trousers.

"You do have a knack for standing out effortlessly." Sinalubong ako ni Clyde sa registration area. He was wearing a black coat over his white V-neck shirt.

"We are here to deal with the K-OS Club," I reminded him, my eyes scrutinizing his outfit from head to shoes. "Hindi tayo naparito para enjoy-in ang party."

"Are you worried that we might fail?" he asked, gazing at the hundreds of pretentious students in their best attire. "Natatakot ka bang mapahiya tayo?"

"Thanks to all the pressure, all eyes are on us," I sighed. "Finding one or two suspects among four hundred attendees is not an easy task. Kung hindi sana nagyabang ang club president natin at nangakong mahuhuli natin ang tauhan ng K-OS Club, hindi natin kailangang masyadong mag-effort."

"Oh," Clyde's inquisitive eyes narrowed into slits. "Being concerned about our group's image. That doesn't sound like you."

Did he really think that I'm deeply concerned about our club's reputation? Far from it! Kung papalpak kami ngayon, mas lalawak ang ngiti sa labi ni Torry. Our failure, or my failure, would only prove that he's right: He is the better villain. Competitive as always, I can't let him have that title.

This is no longer between the QED Club and the K-OS Club. This is personal between me and that spectacled, trying hard villain.

"Are you ready?"

May naramdaman akong braso na pumatong sa aking balikat. The girl from behind pulled me closer to Clyde who also has an arm wrapped around his neck. There's only one person in this school who would make such gesture: Charlotte.

I gently removed her arm around me and turned to her. I was about to speak what's on my mind, but my brain went blank when I saw her. She was stunning in her single-strap royal blue gown. At gaya ng nakasanayan, nakasabit sa kanyang leeg ang bago niyang camera.

"Erald, bakit hindi ka nag-effort na magsuot ng formal attire?" pangungutya niya sa akin matapos akong tingnan ng mga mapanghusga niyang mata mula ulo hanggang paa. "Even the executive committee members and the student council officers are well dressed tonight!"

"Sorry, but this isn't my thing," I replied once my mind snapped back to reality. "For me, this isn't an acquaintance party. This is like a showdown, a bloodbath between us and that club. And I should wear my best armor, which is my school uniform."

"Nevermind." Charlotte stretched out her hand holding the camera. "Let's take a commemorative picture! Selfie muna bago pigilan ang K-OS Club!"

Click!

My eyes looked away as soon as the camera let out its blinding flash. Charlotte reviewed the photo, and she appeared to be pleased by it.

Against our advice, she still decided to attend. Ayaw niyang mahuli sa aksyon. We warned her, but she did not listen to us. Kung hindi kami magtagumpay ngayong gabi at kapag na-trigger ang memory reset niya, huwag niya kaming sisisihin. Well, she might not recall anyway so she couldn't blame us.

Lumayo na kami sa registration area at nagtungo sa may likuran kung saan kakaunti pa lang ang mga attendee. The execom members who I identified through their badges were running around the venue hall. My sister, donning a dark red gown, stood at the foot of the stage with the president and vice president, both dressed decently.

"Let us review our plan!" Charlotte exclaimed in an unmatchable enthusiasm. I shushed her before others might take notice. "Sorry, curious lang talaga ako kung magwo-work ito."

"Erald's talent is thinking out of the box," Clyde looked at me. I would take that as a compliment. "His plan is so out of the box, it might get us into trouble."

Earlier I told them on how I intend to deal with the K-OS problem. Of course, it instantly met opposition from these two because it was, to quote four-eyes, "out of the box."

"Our goal is to foil the rogue club's plan to create chaos," I reiterated. "My plan will absolutely fulfill that mission. Hindi natin alam kung gaano kagrabe ang trick na binabalak nila. We will burn the ground before they can burn it."

"I'm still not totally sold on what you want to accomplish," Clyde shook his head. "Yes, your plan may stop what's about to come, but that might deny us the chance to catch the target."

"Correct me if I'm wrong, but you are the ones who refused my idea of catching the culprit in the act," I argued. "Kung ayaw n'yo siyang mahuli habang isinasagawa o pagkatapos isagawa ang trick, my proposal is the best alternative. At wala ba kayong tiwala sa akin? How many times have I let you down?"

"At least once, I guess?" Clyde responded. That was a rhetorical question. He did not need to reply.

"If you have better ideas, I'm all ears," I said, crossing my arms across my chest, shifting my gaze from Clyde to Charlotte. Nagkapalitan sila ng tingin at marahang napailing. "If you have none, let's focus on my plan. No more objections, okay?"

"Fine. We have no choice but to trust you."

My eyes darted a sideward glance at four-eyes. "Did you procure the thing that I have asked?"

He nodded. "I asked the Chemistry Society earlier if they still have supplies. Fortunately, they have. Inilagay ko sa isang cooler na dala-dala ko kanina."

"May nakapansin ba sa laman?" tanong ko.

"I arrived an hour early before they set up the strict security measures at the entrance," Clyde answered. "Na-curious si Reign kung ano ang laman ng box. I told him nothing. Don't worry, may lock ito kaya hindi pwedeng basta-basta silipin ng kung sino."

At least, four-eyes already got that covered. Kailangan namin maunahan ang K-OS Club mula sa pagse-set-up ng trick. If they beat us to the punch, they win. If it's the other way around, we have a shot at victory.

"Shouldn't we tell the execom or the student council about our plan?" Charlotte asked, looking at the officers behind us. "Shouldn't we coordinate with them? Baka magulat sila mamaya."

"Reign of the execom gave us the autonomy to do whatever we want," sagot ko. "We do not need to report to them. As long as we stop the K-OS Club, that's all that matters to them. That's also what matters to us."

"Here you go again with that thinking," Clyde smirked. "Giving more importance to the results than the process."

"As long as we get to the finish line, it doesn't matter if we stumble along the way," I said firmly.

"Excuse me?" Biglang sumulpot si Reign Imperial ng execom sa likod ni Charlotte. A badge was pinned on the lapel of his black coat matched with scarlet inner longsleeved shirt. Beside him was a seemingly sleep deprived girl. I can't help but notice the dark circles under her eyes. Nagkita na kami noon sa clubroom at naging client na namin siya. What was her name again?

"Jessica Sotto," Clyde uttered.

"It's been a while, detectives!" she greeted, waving her hand.

"Jessica of the Clark Clarion wants to interview a representative from your club," Reign said. "This is about the upcoming showdown between you and the K-OS Club. Is any of you available for the interview?"

Charlotte raised her right hand. "Me! Me! As the club president, I should have that honor."

"Don't leak our plan to them,"' I whispered to her as she walked past me.

"I know," she whispered back.

"Can we talk somewhere quiet?" Jessica asked as she led our club president to a vacant table.

"So how's the preparation going?" Reign asked, his eyes followed where the two girls went. "You haven't told us about what you are planning. The student council is as curious as we are."

I patted him on the back. "Don't worry about this K-OS problem. Sinisiguro namin sa inyong hindi sila makakapanggulo at mahuhuli namin ang tauhan nila. Have faith on us. That's all we need. Focus on managing the event."

"Normally, I would demand for you to share your plans to me," Reign sighed. "But I trust you and your colleagues. Basta kung kailangan n'yo ng assistance mula sa amin, just approach me or anyone in the execom."

Tinapik niya ako sa balikat bago siya nagpaalam na babalik sa paanan ng stage.

"You don't trust him, do you?" Clyde asked.

"I don't trust the people he's working with," I answered, following the execom chairman with my gaze. "Kaya nga ayaw kong sabihin sa kanila ang plano natin. We cannot discount the possibility that the K-OS Club has a mole inside the execom or the student council. As long we keep our plans among ourselves, wala tayong dapat ikabahala."

"By the way," Clyde muttered, "early this morning, you were about to ask me something but we were interrupted by Reign."

Mabuti't ipinaalala niya, muntikan nang dumulas sa isip ko.

Dahil hindi pa nagsisimula ang program at wala pa namang aksyon, confronting him with an entirely different issue might be good to kill the time. I planned to ask him about that incident after the event, but change of plans.

I pulled out a folded piece of paper from my breast pocket and handed it to him. At first, his eyes squinted, wondering what was written on it. He has nothing to worry about because it wasn't a love letter. It was a blotter report from the police.

"Remember when we visited Charlotte the day before yesterday?" I began, giving him a sideward look. "Sinundo ka ng family driver n'yo sa tapat ng hotel. The car model was strangely familiar to me. Early this morning, I went to the police station and inquired about an incident near Central Elementary School that happened four years ago. They gave me the blotter report and guess what I found?"

"The plate number of our family car matched with the plate number of the car involved in the accident," Clyde removed his rectangular spectacles. He folded the piece of paper and returned it to me. "The accident where you, Charlotte and I were involved."

Naningkit ang mga mata kong napasulyap sa kanya. "You knew that I was there?"

"I had my suspicions." Humarap sa akin si Clyde habang pinupunasan ang kanyang salamin. "First, when we were at Charlotte's place, the explanation about her condition that you offered was her involvement in an accident. Second, that piece of paper. Knowing that you have your own law of conservation, you wouldn't waste time and energy for inquiring about a case that doesn't directly involve you."

Kumurba ang gilid ng labi ko. "When Charlotte mentioned the name of the school where she got hit by a car, you had a strange reaction. There was a hint of recognition that I can't ignore."

It was only a matter of time before I put two plus two together.

"That was four years ago." Clyde put on his eyeglasses again. "My memory wasn't as retentive as it is today. Nang makita ko si Charlotte noong club fair, bigla akong kinutuban. I felt an odd connection between her and me, and I felt that we have already met before."

"So that's why you decided to join the QED Club?" I asked. "Dahil gusto mong malaman kung nagkita na kayo noon ni Charlotte?"

"The thought was bugging me," he replied. "I wanted to be sure whether or not she was the girl that almost got hit by our car. My dad was the one driving back then. Hindi gumana ang preno ng sasakyan nang nasa pedestrian lane na kami. We thought that we would run over the little girl, but another kid pushed her away. We ended up hitting that boy instead."

"And that boy happens to be me." Napangiti ako, hindi ko alam kung dahil sa tuwa o kung dahil sa kung paano kami ulit ipinagtagpo. "Trying to play the hero when I was still young and naive."

"You are still young and naive," Clyde said abruptly. "You are so naive that you are trying hard to be what you are not."

"A hero?" I asked.

"An anti-hero," Clyde answered. "You have some heroic qualities in you, but you choose to repress them. Gusto mo lang talagang i-brand ang sarili mo bilang kontrabida. A self-proclaimed one."

"Nakakaramdam din ba ng guilt ang mga kontrabida?" pabiro kong tanong. "Ah, 'di bale na lang. Hindi porke't muntik na akong mag-open up sa 'yo ay ibig sabihin na friends na tayo, ha?"

Clyde had a dreamy, faraway look in his eyes. "Balak mo bang sabihin kay Charlotte na ikaw ang batang sumagip sa kanya noon?"

I shook my head. "Kahit gustuhin ko man, wala pa akong lakas ng loob. Kapag siguro dumating ang tamang panahon. Ikaw? Balak mo bang sabihin sa kanya na kayo ang muntik na makasagasa sa kanya?

Four-eyes chuckled. "Frank as ever, are you? Once I muster enough courage, I will. Hindi ko maiwasang maging guilty sa nangyari sa kanya. Walang may gusto na maapektuhan ang kanyang mga alaala. But things already happened. We cannot turn back the time. What I can do right now is to prevent another episode of memory loss from happening to her."

Here's another man blaming himself for Charlotte's condition. Tama siya. Wala sa amin ang may gusto sa nangyari. I found it surprising that I agree to Clyde's sentiments.

"That's why we must make sure that the K-OS Club won't succeed," Clyde said. "Among all people here except you, they are the only ones who can trigger Charlotte's memory loss."

"Trust me, I'm a strategist," I replied, jerking my thumb to myself. "Just do exactly as I say and I assure you, pagkatapos ng party na 'to, may iba tayong pagpipiyestahan."

Natigil ang usapan namin nang makabalik na ang aming club president mula sa interview.

"Are we ready?" nakangiting tanong ni Charlotte. "The program's about to start."

We shifted our gaze to the stage where the president and the vice president stood. Sumesenyas sila sa lalaking nasa control booth. The lights in the gymnasium dimmed and the crowd went cheering. Damang-dama ang kanilang excitement sa first ever senior high acquaintance party ng Clark High.

"Battle stations," I muttered. Clyde and Charlotte nodded as we separated ways. Kailangan na rin naming pumwesto para sa aming show.

"Good evening and welcome to the first senior high acquaintance party!" Agnes greeted, drawing cheers from the crowd. Tila nagwala ang iba't ibang kulay ng liwanag sa gymnasium.

"SENIOR HIGH, ARE YOU READY?!" Bruce the vice president shouted. Lalo pang nag-ingay ang mga party-goer, napuno ng hiyawan ang venue. While they were excited to have fun, I was at the back, excited to execute our plan.

Kaninang lunch time nang sinamahan kami ni Reign para mag-inspect dito, I already familiarized myself with the building layout. Four-eyes may have the ability to store in his databank where every switch, every button, every lock were located, but I had to have my own map. That's going to be crucial later.

For now, let me enjoy the party that the honorable student council was throwing for us. Saktong-sakto na nasa likuran ang mga nagse-serve ng food at drinks. I approached the table for the iced drinks and asked for a soda. The server poured some into a wineglass and offered it to me.

"Everyone's having fun. Why aren't you?"

Guess who decided to greet me a good evening by making his unwanted presence felt? The second four-eyes who was way sinister than our own.

Nag-request din ng soda si Torry mula sa bar. He shook the contents of his wineglass before taking a sip.

"This is my idea of having fun," I replied before finishing my iced drink. "Chatting with the leader of the notorious group that intends to be party-poopers. Ano bang mapapala n'yo sa panggugulo n'yo?"

"The acquaintance party is a place of fun, and I don't want to miss any fun," Torry smirked as he drank straight his soda. "Whew! That was refreshing. Soda tastes good when it's free. Well, technically, it isn't free because we paid for this event through our tuition fee."

Nagpa-refill pa siya ng wineglass. Ibinaba ko na ang aking baso sa mesa. Too much carbonated drink might trigger my acidity.

"So you and your friends are playing the hero tonight," Torry said. "What a fitting role for a failed villain. The question is, can you stop us from bringing another level of fun to this party?"

"I can call the execom members and have you dragged out of this gymnasium," I threatened which did not scare him at all.

"On what grounds? You don't have any evidence, do you?" Torry asked. "At kahit kaladkarin n'yo ako palabas ng gym, the plan would still be in motion. No one can stop it. Not even me."

"Once we stop your version of fun and catch your underling, it's going to be game over for you," I responded. "He's going to be the evidence."

"We shall see who between us can steal the spotlight tonight," Torry patted my shoulder, smirking. "Enjoy the show!"

Muling nagliwanag ang buong gymnasium. This was like a chess match between me and Torry. The gymnasium is our board and our colleagues are the chess pieces. Clyde and Charlotte were already in position. Torry's pawn must also be on standby, waiting for the perfect moment to strike.

In this case, whoever makes the first move wins.

While roaming around the venue, I already texted Clyde to prepare our little trick. Gaya ng ginawa namin noon sa fake abduction sa leadership seminar, he would be doing the dirty work while I would be on the lookout. Charlotte's role, meanwhile, was to draw the attention of everyone at her. I asked her to talk to Reign and request for a two-minute speech at the opening of the party.

At mukhang umaayon ang lahat sa plano. Nasa entablado na si Charlotte, hawak-hawak ang isang microphone at katabi ang mga master of ceremonies. She was about to address the elephant in the room.

"First and foremost, I'd like to thank the student council for entrusting to us a crucial job," she spoke. "Aware na siguro ang karamihan sa inyo na may gustong manggulo sa ating acquaintance party. As a fellow senior high student and as the president of the QED Club, we won't allow anything to ruin our night."

Nagpalakpakan ang mga tao, maging ako'y nakisabay na rin sa pagpalakpak. Charlotte's so eloquent in speaking that everyone's attentively listening to her. Great, just as planned. That would give Clyde the opportunity to set up the trick.

"Alam kong merong isa or dalawa sa atin na member ng K-OS Club," she went on, her eyes roaming around the people down the stage. "Baka kinakabahan na siya ngayon dahil nandito kami para siguruhing walang masamang mangyayari. His hands must be shaking. His knees must be trembling. If I were you, hindi ko na itutuloy ang pinaplano ko. Let the students enjoy the night!"

"Oo nga! Oo nga!" sigaw ng ilang attendees.

Pumwesto na ako sa likuran, sa tabi ng isang lever. Frankly, we have no idea on how we can stop that person from creating a commotion during the party. Hindi namin alam kung kailan siya aatake. Hindi namin alam kung saan siya manggagaling. Hindi rin namin kung anong trick ang binabalak niya. Preventing him from committing such an act was close to impossible... until I thought of a way on how we can.

Balak ng K-OS Club na lumikha ng kaguluhan dito. So paano namin sila mapipigilan? Simple! Uunahan na namin silang gumawa ng gulo bago pa nila maisagawa ang sa kanila. Confused? Here's how.

A cloud of white smoke began to emerge from the western section of the gymnasium. Patuloy sa pagde-deliver ng speech si Charlotte habang ang ilang attendee ay nagtataka kung ano ang usok. May ilan pa ngang nag-akala na part ito ng isang magic trick.

But as the white smokes grew larger, nabahala na ang mga attendee na nasa kaliwa. When I sensed that they started panicking, I quickly pulled the lever on my side. The deafening noise of the fire alarm went off and the gymnasium was plunged into chaos. Almost everyone rushed to the exit, trying to get out before the smokes could suffocate them.

This was the reason why Clyde and Charlotte were against my plan initially. Alam nilang magkakagulo. Posibleng may masaktan dahil sa stampede.

By preempting the chaos planned by the K-OS Club, we saved the attendees from a much worse situation. Baka mas malala pa rito ang binabalak ng mga mokong.

The question is, how can we catch their agent now that everyone's rushing out of the building? That person must be too preoccupied with thinking on how to execute his plan. At ngayong may surprise kami para sa kanya, nasira ang kanyang focus. Naguguluhan na siya malamang kung paano niya pa itutuloy ang plano.

While a crowd huddled at the exit, the student council officers and the executive committee members were assisting the students for an orderly evacuation to avoid a stampede from happening. Everyone was there, except for one person.

Naglakad ako patungo sa buntot ng mga estudyanteng hindi magkamayaw sa pila. An execom member seemed visibly confused on whether to help his colleagues or not. Hindi pa siya makapag-decide.

My plan does not guarantee that we would catch the accomplice. The only thing that's assured is the shock factor that would stun the would-be bringer of chaos. Walang kasiguraduhan na ang lalaking nalilito kung ano ang gagawin ay ang taong target namin.

Clyde emerged from the white smokes and joined me in approaching the execom member. We signaled to Charlotte to stay right where she was and leave the apprehension to us.

"Excuse me?" I raised my hand to get the execom member's attention. He was wearing a gray coat over a purple longsleeved shirt. Based on the nameplate pinned on his chest pocket, his name's Sebastian.

"Y-Yes?" nauutal na sagot ng lalaki. Napahakbang pa siya paurong nang lumapit kami.

"Do you mind if we search your pockets?" tanong ko.

"Ba-Bakit?" sagot niya. "May problema ba?"

"We suspect you to be an accomplice of the K-OS Club," I told him bluntly. No more beating around the bush.

"Teka, wala akong kinalaman diyan sa usok na 'yan!" Nagsisimula na siyang maging defensive.

"Alam naming wala kang kinalaman kasi kami ang may pakana riyan," paliwanag ko. "Kung wala kang itinatago, ipapakapkap mo sa amin ang mga bulsa mo."

He sighed as he removed his coat. "Do as you please. Pero sinasabi ko na sa inyo, wala kayong makikitang kahina-hinala sa akin."

"We will see about-"

He threw his coat to my face and slid away from us. Hinawi ko ang ibinato niyang damit at hinabol siya patungo sa exit. Clyde also gave a chase.

Sebastian was pushing everyone out of his way at kaunting-kaunti na lang, makakatakas na siya mula sa amin. Kainis! Bakit kasi hindi tumabi ang mga nakapilang attendee!

Just as when he was about to reach the exit, someone tripped his foot. The escapee was knocked down on the floor, head first. He groaned as he rolled on the maple floor.

Reign, the one who stopped Sebastian from escaping, blocked the way so our target would have no chance of slipping away. Other execom members, as well as student council officers, positioned themselves around.

I stepped on his body to prevent him from getting up. Kinapkapan ko ang bulsa ng pantalon niya at may nakapang bote. My hand pulled it out of his pocket and read the label.

"Sodium phosphate?" I mumbled.

"Let me see." Hinablot ni Clyde mula sa aking kamay ang bote. His rectangular spectacles gleaned and his eyes squinted as he read the label. Ilang segundo niyang isinara ang kanyang mga mata bago muling iminulat ang mga ito. "Sodium phosphate... A saline laxative that results in bowel movement after thirty minutes."

Inalis ko na ang pagkakaapak ng aking sapatos sa katawan ni Sebastian. "Balak mo bang ilagay 'yan sa drinks mamaya? That isn't a poison, pero kapag nakainom ng ganyan ang mga estudyante, magiging blockbuster ang pila sa comfort room."

"So that's how they intend to cause chaos?" Reign gently caressed his chin. "I am disappointed in you, Sebastian. I never thought that you would work with a rogue club."

"Le-Let me explain!" Sinubukang tumayo ng bistadong execom member, inaayos ang kanyang coat. "Hindi ko ginustong maging tauhan nila, pero wala akong choice! They blackmailed me so I would do their bidding without any complaint."

"And who exactly blackmailed you?" tanong ko. "Give me the name."

Sebastian shook his head. "Kung alam ko lang, sasabihin ko sa inyo. They left me an envelope in my locker at doon naka-enclose ang instructions pati na ang mga blackmailing paraphernalia laban sa akin. The sender did not write his name or his initials. I can give you the letter if you want!"

"You could have told me," Reign shook his head slowly, disappointed.

"If I did, wala na akong mukhang maihaharap sa inyo," his subordinate said. "Please understand my situation! Hindi ko ginustong gawin 'to. Hindi ko rin alam kung may dignidad pa akong matitira dahil pumalpak ako. They will release whatever they have on me!"

Nagawi ang tingin ko sa iba pang estudyante na huminto sa paglabas ng gymnasium. One of them was grinning like a devil. Torry stood just a few steps away from me, looking triumphant with a smug on his face.

This resolution explained his confidence. Kahit na mahuli namin ang kanyang alipores dito, alam niyang walang pisi na nakakonekta sa kanya. He could walk away as if nothing happened.

We won the battle, but the war? Not yet.

***

After the chaos that we created, the acquaintance party resumed and the attendees returned inside the gymnasium. Naging masigla ulit ang gabi rito sa Clark High. Everyone's partying, dancing.

But for the QED Club, the night was not a complete victory. Napigilan nga namin ang balak ng utusan ng K-OS Club na pasakitin ang mga tiyan ng attendees, ngunit wala kaming nakuhang ebidensya o hint na magdidiin kay Torry at magpapabagsak sa kanyang grupo.

Kaya habang ang lahat ay nagpa-party-party, kami nina Clyde at Charlotte ay nasa labas ng gymnasium, nakasilong sa ilalim ng puno ng mangga.

"I thought we already had him," I sighed.

"Looks like we have to go back to the list," Clyde said, staring at the stars above us. "Our battle against that rogue club is far from over. Baka magkaroon pa tayo ng rematch."

"Huwag na kayong malungkot!" Inakbayan kami ni Charlotte. Mukhang siya lang ang nasa mood sa aming tatlo. "Hindi nasayang ang effort natin. We stopped them and we captured their agent. Mission accomplished!"

"It is not a mission accomplished until we take them down," saad ko. "Their leader is still inside partying, while we are here, sulking at a corner."

"Ang mabuti pa, mag-picture na lang tayo!" Charlotte turned on her camera and pointed the lens at us. "This is our post-victory shot!"

"Baka may mahagilap kang maligno riyan sa photo," pabiro kong tugon.

"One, two, three!"

Click!

"You two asked me to not attend the party," Charlotte said, looking at her camera's preview screen. "I would have missed a lot of fun if I did. And see? Walang nangyaring masama sa party. Even if the K-OS Club succeeded in their mission, I don't think their trick would have enough impact to trigger my condition."

"They are known to be unpredictable," tugon ko. "We may never know what they could have done. Posible ngang maisip din nila ang usok trick natin kanina para magdulot ng stampede. They are happy as long as someone or some people get into trouble."

"But what are they really after?" tanong ni Clyde. "Talaga bang panggugulo lang ang habol nila?"

"'Yon ang sabi ng leader nila," tumango ako. "But I highly doubt that. No one would spend time and effort for the mere pursuit of fun. They might have an ulterior motive, which is still unknown to us."

At that time, little did we know that the K-OS Club's motive was right under our noses.